Monday, June 23, 2008

Oh George ...


George was the first person to make me realize humor was powerful! You could tell people important things, make them think about serious issues – and make them laugh!!

Youtube has an amazing array of George’s work. “The 7 Words You Can’t Say on TV” started a Supreme Court Battle.

Search George Carlin and Religion and find some of the greatest stand-up ever performed.

And his take on everyday life is equally hilarious. Check out “Cats and Dogs” and look for his incredible rant on consumerism called “Stuff”

Here are but a few of the pearls of wisdom from George Carlin …

Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

I have as much authority as the Pope; I just don't have as many people who believe it.

I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.

The status quo sucks.

Think off-center.

When you're born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat.

And this quote sums up his brilliance.

I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn, and cross it deliberately.

I am going to miss you terribly George. All that kinetic energy made me think you were immortal.

I was wrong …

40 comments:

Odat said...

Aw. I 'm so glad you did a post on him! I just heard this on the news and was soooo saddened by it.
You're right, I thought he was immortal too!
I will miss him too.
Peace

Odat said...

Aw. I 'm so glad you did a post on him! I just heard this on the news and was soooo saddened by it.
You're right, I thought he was immortal too!
I will miss him too.
Peace

Knight said...

What an amazing tribute. I just heard the news about an hour ago and I had to digest it for awhile. It's something I couldn't believe for some reason and you nailed it on the head. He seemed immortal.

Jeni said...

Yep, George Carlin left an indelible mark on our society. His humor was fantastic and will surely be greatly missed. No one else could ever do and say the things he did and show people the truth while giving a good laugh at the same time.

Raven said...

Beautiful tribute to a great man who used humor to makes us laugh, think and grow. The only thing I disagree with you about is that I think people like George Carlin are immortal... his humor and wisdom will continue to speak...

"fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity." Profound.

Richard said...

My favorite was the hippy dippy weatherman who would state "In New York it's 6:00 pm, in Los Angeles it's 2:00 pm and in Baltimore it's 5:45. I guess you had to be there but it was hilarious, trust me.

Rich

Schmoop said...

I do so love that quote, and try to live by it. Here's to GC. Cheers, Dianne!!

Dianne said...

odat - I was shocked when I heard the news this morning.

knight - I had to check 2 different sources to believe it. I thought it might be an elaborate practical joke.

jeni - "show people the truth" - a lovely way to describe George.

raven - you're right, the work is immortal.

rich - I loved the hippy dippy weatherman!! I'm laughing at 5:45 in Baltimore. Was it the same routine where he said - "tonight's forecast is for dark, followed by increasing darkness until light emerges towards dawn".
I can do whole Carlin routines from memory!

matt-man - you DO live by that quote and live it beautifully.

bobbie said...

Didn't know until I read your post. We will all miss George Carlin. He was a great.

"The status quo sucks." Yes, George, it does. And without you it's just a little harder to take.

g-man said...

Nicely said. He had that same effect on me too, where I was thinking critically while laughing, who knew!?

Thanks for stopping by.

Leighann said...

To think and laugh at the same time will never be the same again, will it?

emily said...

Thank you for the tribute. I was stunned this morning when I saw the news. I so loved his power with words.

And I love that you used yours so lovely.

maryt/theteach said...

What a wonderful post, Dianne, on George Carlin! He was a very funny and intelligent man! He defied convention and tradition! He will be remembered always! :)

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

He will be missed by so many. He will always be the Hippy Dippy Weatherman to me. :)

Hilary said...

Those seven words. Watching my Mom's face as she listened to him rattle them off for the first time was priceless. She was around 60 at the time and that was in the early 1970s. I'll never forget that. :)

Dianne said...

bobbie - it will be harder without him :(


g-man - exactly!!

leighann - it won't kid, it won't

emily - thank you. stunned is very much how I feel too.

he defied just about everything the teach LOL

sandpiper - one of his best routines!! thanks for coming by.

hillary - I still can't believe that was the 70s - he was such a trial blazer.

Jay said...

I have a couple of his books. I think I'll dig them out and read them again. And maybe go to YouTube and watch some of his routines.

I miss him already.

Anndi said...

I thought he was immortal too, Dianne.

I've also always liked:

"I put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing changed."

"No one is ever completely alone. You always have yourself."

I don't like knowing he isn't out there flipping somebody the bird.

Dianne said...

jay - I was listening to his CDs all morning and I have to dig up some DVDs I have - I want to see him dancing around.

anndi - those are great quotes too! especially the change one LOL
I'm starting to convince myself he's somewhere bigger, flipping a bigger bird down at those who deserve it.
I also suddenly had the image of him having a great discussion with God about what we've done to religion. and God is laughing.

Real Live Lesbian said...

What a great tribute! I'm going to have to check out some of those youtube videos!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tribute. I too, thought of George as "forever". A bit more light left the world today.

Dianne said...

RLL - thank you. Definitely check out some clips, you won't be disappointed.

quilly - the comedy is forever but the antics are gone. He truly did light up wherever he spoke. thanks quilly.

Unknown said...

I was saddened to hear of his passing. I thought he was so cool when I was a kid. I still think he was so cool!

Nice tribute!

Dianne said...

pagan - he was the epitome of cool! I have been thinking of him and hearing his words all day.

Anonymous said...

I was so bummed when I heard it this morning. But it was so wonderful to read your post. He was simply amazing.

Jeff B said...

Saw one of his stand-up routines many years ago. He brought down the house. What a shame it is to have lost another great commedian.

kenju said...

I had a hard time not crying when I heard it this morning. He was a genius! A profane one, but a genius nonetheess.

Linda Murphy said...

I hope he has a joyful presence in his next journey and how wonderful that we were the beneficiaries of his brilliance.

I heard a terrific tribute on NPR today too, in case anyone wants to check. I think it was Talk of the Nation.

karey m. said...

it always hits me rather hard when a force who's been around for my whole life just disappears...

reminds me of the moment-to-momentness of it all...

this was a lovely tribute.

Minnesotablue said...

Loved the tribute Dianne. He was all about COOL

the walking man said...

BUT the thing you loved about him will carry on until it is replaced, just like Lenny Bruce's humor was replaced by Carlin.

GC went quick in a relatively painless way eh?

tt said...

"Think off center".......that's my life! I think anyone who actually listened to what he said was forever changed by how we looked at everyday happenings. I was.
He'll be missed that's for sure.
Great tribute suga!

pink dogwood said...

He was amazing, I will miss him as well :(

Dianne said...

thanks cherie - I'm still feeling bummed but it was just as wonderful to see you here.

jeff b - he commanded the stage and just reached out and pulled you in to his world and thoughts

kenju - profoundly profane!

snoopmurph - I'll check out NPR, thanks.
"a joyful presence in his next journey" - lovely words.

karey m - I feel the same way. especially with George since he never seemed to age - and then suddenly ...

thanks minnesotablue! he defined COOL

mark - I believe it was instant. I've been picturing him as a bolt of lightening off to worship the sun.

tt - you're right. every time I realize I'm getting overwhelmed with material crap I always think of George talking about "stuff"

Dianne said...

we will all miss him pink dogwood :) thank goodness his comedy will be around forever.

Sparkling Red said...

I hadn't heard! :-( He was so young!

My ex quoted George Carlin constantly. "A house is just a box for your stuff. When you get more stuff, you need a bigger box!" And many other favourites. *sigh*

CG said...

Great quotes...am sure he will be much missed!!

Dianne said...

sparkling red - I didn't even realize he was 71! In my mind he's frozen at about 40. the stuff routine is one of my favorites.

cg - he was incredibly quotable and he will be missed.

Sandi McBride said...

Oh yes, Dianne, and the missing him will be just half the pain of knowing it will most likely be generations before the like of him is seen again!

Dianne said...

so true sandi, so true.
as jon stewart said Monday night
".... and he left us with hours and hours of tape"